The 2025 #5WomenArtists campaign explores intersectional environmentalism, focusing on gender equity and the arts alongside environmental justice and sustainability. Terratorie is a women-owned, independently run, and sustainable shop featuring illustrated city and neighborhood maps. We spoke with Torie Partridge, Terratorie’s founder and owner, about her process and how environmentalism intersects with her work.

Shop Terratorie stickers and prints in NMWA’s Museum Shop.

How did the map art project start?

The project began with Washington, D.C.’s Petworth neighborhood. Back in 2012, my very first design studio commission was a mural for Annie’s Ace Hardware in Petworth. After it was installed, so many people from the neighborhood asked if it would be available as a print that I decided to create one. That single print led to requests for surrounding neighborhoods. Thirteen years later, I’ve illustrated more than 70 of D.C.’s 140 neighborhoods, and the collection continues to grow.

I’ve also illustrated neighborhoods in cities all over the country. Today, we offer more than 130 neighborhood and city map designs as art prints, greeting cards, and stickers. Our work is carried in more than 200 stores nationwide, from Smithsonian Museums and design museums to local D.C. boutiques, all the way to San Francisco and Seattle. At the heart of it is the mission to celebrate neighborhood culture, local pride, and help people feel connected to the places they call home.

Can you describe your process?

We start by studying the city’s boundaries, then cross reference multiple data sources to understand where each neighborhood begins and ends. That includes real estate data, city planning documents, university research, and even community council resources. Our goal is always to make sure the final map reflects how people experience and move through their city. From there, the entire map is created by hand: every illustration, every piece of lettering, every bit of color. It’s all done manually, with a focus on craftsmanship and accuracy.

How do you choose the color palette for each map?

I use color as a way to express the energy and character of a neighborhood or city. I build a palette that reflects that personality. Some color choices are very referential. Our New Orleans map incorporates the traditional Mardi Gras colors; the D.C. Chinatown map is inspired by the vibrant hues of the iconic Chinatown arch; and the D.C. Anacostia map features lush greens to honor its incredible parkland, paired with deep reds from the famous Big Chair. Miami gets bold neon shades that echo South Beach’s vintage signs. Each map is different and intentionally distinct. The palette becomes part of the story of the place.

What sustainable practices do you incorporate into your process?

All of our prints are produced on EcoSilk partially recycled paper, and our packaging uses recycled mat board. We also ship every order carbon-neutral. Our longtime print partner uses soy-based inks, which are gentler on the environment, and their production is powered by wind energy. Across the board, we’re intentional about reducing plastic and choosing the most sustainable materials we can.

Does climate change or other environmental issues impact your work?

One of our strongest defenses in the face of climate uncertainty is community: knowing your neighbors, feeling connected to the people around you, and being part of a supportive network. Modern life pulls us toward isolation and online spaces that aren’t rooted in where we actually live. My work is, in many ways, a response to that. It’s a celebration of place, belonging, and the idea that being part of a neighborhood really matters. I often say that “neighborhoods will save the world,” and I genuinely believe it. When we feel connected to our block, our town, our city, we’re more likely to care for each other, share resources, and build resilience together. My hope is that these maps remind people that they’re part of a real, living community. Strong, interconnected neighborhoods make us better equipped to face the challenges ahead, including those brought by the climate crisis.

What five women artists inspire you?

My favorite artist working right now is MarSha Robinson (@strangedirt), whose work is mystical and full of the wonder of plants. I’ve loved Hilma af Klint’s work ever since I stumbled into her show at the Guggenheim in 2018. Her visionary paintings feel so timeless and rich. I’ve got a deep and abiding love for watercolor illustration work, and Stacey Rozich (@staceyrozich) and Rithika Merchant (@rithikamerchant) are illustrators whose art I’m constantly in awe of. I’m also obsessed with the nature-focused digital illustration work of Halsey Berryman (@halseyberryman)!